Striker Shefki Kuqi says he is targeting a return in time for Town's crunch league clash with Wigan at the JJB Stadium on March 5th. The Finnish international has been on the sidelines since picking up a deep gash to his leg during the 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Kuqi, who is back at Portman Road after a short break with his family in Finland, says he is on the mend: "I can bend the leg now and get about without any trouble.

"On the outside the injury looks fine, but it depends what is happening underneath, where the stitches are. I feel good and it would be great to think that I could be training again in a couple of days.

"That might be a bit ambitious, but playing at Wigan on Saturday week is a possible target."

The Blues will be without loanee James Scowcroft against the Latics, the striker having received his fifth yellow card of the season for handball in the second half of last night's game against Watford.